Couple killed in crash were 'in wrong place at wrong time'

UPDATE 12.10pm: A 28-year old man and woman killed in yesterday's fatal Pacific Highway accident at Knockrow were in "an unfortunate place at the wrong time" when their sedan was crushed by an out-of-control semi-trailer, police have said.

Inspector Mick Dempsey of Richmond Local Area Command said the truck was travelling south on the highway about 3.40pm yesterday when it clipped the rear of another truck and swerved on to the northbound lane.

Insp Dempsey said the victims were waiting to turn on to the highway out of Ivy Lane, 750 metres north of Macadamia Castle, when the truck "rolled on top" of the stationary silver sedan.

Police have yet to identify the woman who died in the car, although he confirmed the male driver was from the Gold Coast.

There were no other passengers in the vehicle.

The 26-year old truck driver is also from the Gold Coast.

He was conveyed to Ballina Hospital where compulsory blood and urine tests were taken, and later released without injury.

Officers from the Crash Investigation Unit are continuing their enquiries.

Police were unable to say whether speed was a factor in the crash.

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7am: TWO people died yesterday afternoon when a B-double truck rolled over at Knockrow, just north of the Macadamia Castle, crushing a car and killing its occupants.

Emergency services were called to the scene near the intersection with Ivy Ln at 3.45pm after reports a truck had rolled on top of a car.

When police, paramedics, SES, police rescue and NSW Fire and Rescue units arrived they found a trailer of the truck had crushed the car, trapping a man and a woman inside.

A heavy haulage crane was needed to lift the trailer off the car.

After more than 90 minutes the trailer was finally lifted and the man and the woman were confirmed dead.

The driver of the truck was treated by paramedics at the scene for minor injuries.

The highway was closed in both directions and light vehicle traffic was diverted at Ross Ln and Ewingsdale Rd through Byron Bay.

Heavy vehicles at the scene were told to park, with other heavy traffic advised to use the Bruxner and New England Hwys.

The Ballina Crash Investigation Unit was called to examine the crash. Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 with any information.